Electrical apparatus and dielectric material therefor



Oct. 25, 1960 G. cAMlLLl ETAL ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND DIELECTRIC MATERIAL THEREFOR Original Filed July 29. 1955 51mm m W Wwf/mmm n 4/ wmWEr/ UH WT .W fyi; M Hl..

ynite gratos ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND DIELECTRIC MATERIAL THEREFOR signor-s to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Continuation of application Ser. No. 525,128, July 29, 1955. This application Nov. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 850,732

11 Claims. (Cl. 174-17) The present invention relates to dielectric material, and more particularly to gaseous electrical insulating material and electrical apparatus utilizing the same.

This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 525,128, filed July 29, 1955, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The use of gaseous dielectric media for electrical apparatus, particularly in high voltage transformers, has been found preferable in many cases to liquid dielectrics, which are in some cases inflammable or subject to degradation of their insulating characteristics by oxidation effects and various contaminants. Of the two types of insulation, gases possess an advantage over liquids in that less weight of material need be employed in the system, and consequently, the overall weight of electrical apparatus utilizing gaseous dielectrics is substantially less. Also, in the case of internal failures, the chance of explosion is considerably reduced because of the compressibility of gases. Other advantages are that gaseous dielectrics are not flammable, reduce the transmission of sound, have better heat transfer properties, and require less power consumption in forced circulation of the dielectric for cooling purposes, due to lower viscosity and density.

Various gaseous compounds have previously been suggested for use as transformer dielectrics, such as sulfur hexafluoride and halogen-combined hydrocarbons. The previously used gaseous dielectrics have, however, been subject to various disadvantages as, for example, thermal degradation at elevated temperature, insullicient dielectric strength especially at high voltages and high temperature, having boiling points which are too high to insure adequate insulation protection at low temperatures, and in the case of certain gases are too expensive to use in the quantities necessary for proper protection.

It is an object of the present invention to provide electrical apparatus, such as transformers and capacitors, and gaseous dielectric material therefor, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art gaseous dielectric materials.

It is another object of the invention to provide a composite gaseous dielectric medium which possesses high dielectric strength, `adequate thermal stability, low boiling point, is economical to use in large quantities, affords adequate insulation protection under a wide range of temperature and pressure, and provides good heat transfer.

It is another object of the invention to provide for use in electrical apparatus of the above type a gaseous dielectric medium which is particularly characterized by superior dielectric strength and has suitable physical and other characteristics making it of practical use in a wide variety of such electrical apparatus.

As indicated above, an important property desirable in an insulating gas is that it be gaseous at as low a temperature as possible, particularly for use in transformers and other electrical apparatus operating outdoors atent 4nice in cold climates. This is important so that the gas will not condense and settle at the bottom of the apparatus, thus causing loss of pressure resulting in a reduction of electrical insulation.

it has been found in accordance with one aspect of the invention that the above advantages and a particularly satisfactory gaseous dielectric material are produced by a mixture of iluorocarbon gases, and in particular a mixture of C4136, hexauorobutyne-Z, and C3F8, octailuoropropane, used as a dielectric medium in an enclosed electrical apparatus such as a transformer or capacitor.

The invention in another aspect contemplates the use of C4126 alone or in gas dielectric mixtures other than the above-described mixture.

The invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a view partly in section schematically illustrating a dry-type transformer adapted to contain a gaseous insulation material in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a capacitor adapted to incorporate the present gaseous dielectric medium; and

Fig. 3 graphically illustrates the electrical characteristics of the present gaseous dielectric medium as compared to other insulating gases.

Shown in Fig. l is a transformer having a core 1 on which are wound a plurality of inductively-related electrical windings 2 in accordance with conventional transformer construction. The core 1 and windings 2 are immersed in the gas dielectric medium of the present invention which is contained within the tank 3 of the transformer. The gas-tight housing 3 is fitted with a removable cover 7 which is provided with a pair of bushings 4 and 5 through which the external terminals extend. Also provided on the transformer are cooling conduits 8 and 9 through which the gas circulates, the gas dielectric being circulated by a pump (not shown) in accordance with known construction. The transformer may also contain means for removing corrosive products in case of accidental arcing in the gas, e.g., a granular absorbent such as alumina, soda lime, or other material.

Figure 2 illustrates a capacitor which may incorporate the present electrical insulating material. The capacitor, as conventionally shown in Fig. 2, comprises a casing 10 in which are mounted spaced armatures 11 and 12 suitably supported within the casing. The armatures may be maintained in proper operative relation by spacers (not shown) comprising suitable insulating material. The respective spaced sets of capacitor plates are connected to external terminals 13 and 14 which are provided with insulators or bushings 1S, 16. Within the capacitor casing 10, a dielectric material comprising the present gaseous mixture lls the interior space.

A preferred form of the invention wherein the gas dielectric comprises a mixture of C4126 and C3F8 is shown in the drawing, but as indicated above, the gaseous medium may comprise C4F6 alone or in Iother mixtures.

It will be understood that the advantages of the present invention are not confined to the electrical devices illustrated but may be obtained in other electrical apparatus, such as X-ray tube housings, bushings, and gas-lilled cables.

In the graph of Fig. 3, there is plotted the breakdown strength of various gaseous dielectric materials including that of the present invention. The curves in the graph plot the 60 cycle breakdown voltage in kilovolts (root mean square) of the various gases in a 3 diameter round-edged plane-to-plane gap at various electrode spacings given in inches, and at atmospheric pressure.

Shown in dot-dash lines on the graph are two gases SP6, sulfur hexafluoride, and C4F16, periluoro-n-butane, which are prior known gaseous dielectric media. SP6, which has been widely used heretofore, has certain advantages such as low cost, very low boiling temperature 62 C. at atmospheric pressure) and relatively high dielectric strength as compared to either nitrogen or air. However, it doe-s not have adequate insulating strength to allow the high voltage gradients to which present transformer design tends nor satisfactory thermal stability in the presence of various constructional materials under the higher operating temperatures to which such transformers may be raised. On the other hand, C4F16 which has a much superior dielectric strength relative to SF6 and certain other known gaseous dielectric materials has a boiling point of only 2'.5 C. at atmospheric pressure, which is much too high for general outdoor use in transformers.

We have now found that C4156 (hexauorobutyne-2) not only has a higher dielectric strength than C4F16, but lalso has a boiling point off 2,3 C., considerably lower than that of C4F16. As shown in Fig. 3, the dielectric strength of C4F6 is of the order of twice that ofSF6.

Based on previous experience with the properties of known dielectric gases, the remarkably high dielectric strength of `C4F6 was quite unexpected. For example, in general, the higher the dielectric strength of the gas, the higher is its boiling point. On this basis, C4136 with a boiling point of 23 C. would be. expected to have a dielectric strength less than that of C4131@ (B.P. 2.5 C.) and somewhat higher than that of C3135 (B.P. 37 C.), but in fact a remarkable improvement over these gases was found, as shown in Fig. 3.

1t has also been found in the past that the dielectric strength of fluorocarbons is related to their molecular weight, i.e., high dielectric strength is associated with high molecular weight. Nevertheless, C4F6 with a molecular Weight of 162 as compared to SP6 with 146, C3128 with 188, C4F8 with 200, and C4F16 with 238, exhibits a far higher breakdown Voltage under the same conditions as compared to any of these gases than would have been expected on, this basis.

It has been found, further, in accordance with the present invention, that when mixed with C3F6, octafluoropropane gas, which has a boiling point of 37 C., a higher dielectric strength is obtained in the gas mixture thanl would have been expectedv from the combining of these twomaterials. As shown in the Fig. 3 graph, a mixture of equal parts byv volume of the C4136 and C3138 gaseshas a breakdown strength higher than either C4121@ or SP6 and higher than the expected mean of the two component gases, an improvement which is particularly marked at the wider electrode spacings, in which nonuniformreld conditions can develop due to the greater divergence of the electrostatic field.

For example, at an electrode spacing of .6 inch, the dielectric strength ofthe 1:1 mixture of C4136 and CSFS is about 7% higher than the mean dielectric. strength of ward free radicals such as F and F-containing ions and other degradation products which may be present in a uorocarbon gas atmosphere.

In this connection it might be noted that although uorocarbon gases as a class are electronegative in character, it has been found that this feature alone does not determine their high dielectric strength. Other characteristics present in each specific uorocarbon gas appear to play Van important part and such other characteristics may require higher voltages to be impressed before free electrons in the gas can acquire sucient energy to initiate processes leading to electrical breakdown. The molecular characteristics of each specific gas may increase the breakdown voltage (i.e., the voltage at which the insulator becomes a conductor) by complicated phenomena, as, for example, those involving capture or attachment of free electrons by molecules.

1t appears that such a function is involved in the use of the unsaturated compound C4136 to produce the desirable results in the present improved dielectric medium. The C4116 not only in itself may have an improved dielectric strength in View of the above considerations, but of even greater importance so far as the present invention is concerned, is that in its combination with another ilumine-containing gas such as the CBFS disclosed herein, which affords greater economy and a lower boiling point as well as other advantages, the C4F6 confers unexpectedly higher dielectric strength to the mixture, due possibly to its high chemical reactivity and its consequent removal of free electrons, ions or radicals which would otherwise lead to breakdown of the dielectric medium under lower electrical stress.

There is thus provided by the mixture of C4F6 and C3F8 a composite gaseous dielectric medium which has a low condensing temperature and a high dielectric strength, which is thermally stable and which is economical to produce.

While the mixture of gases as illustrated in Fig. 3 is composed of equal parts by volume of C4F6 and C3138, variations may be made in the relative proportions of t -e gases to obtain desired results. In general, the ranges of 5-75% by volume of the C4136 and 95-25% of the C3136 are preferably used for most practical purposes. The greater the proportion of C4136, the higher the dielectric strength achieved. On the other hand, the greater the proportion of C3116, the greater is the thermal stability of the mixture. While the illustrated mixture of equal parts of the gases has a condensingY temperature of about 38 C.,Vwhich is suitable for most transformer yapplications, the proportions may be varied as indicated in Table 1 below to obtain a desired condensation temperature of the mixture. Accordingly the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular ratio represented in the drawing.

The following'table will serve as a guide in determining the optimum proportions of the mixture components to obtain the desired condensation temperature:

Table l Vol. percent 04F@ 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 V01. Percent CsFs--. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Condensation Temp., O 42 -45 -42 -38 -35 -31 28 -25 Pressure at 27 O 19. 1 19. E V19. 7 19. 5 19. l 18. 9 18. 6 18. 4 18. 1

the two gases separately. At a spacing of .8 inch, the dielectric strength of the composite medium increases to about 12% higher than the mean of the component gases. It is further evident from the graph, in view of the trend of' the plotted curves, that thisy improved dielectric strength of the present mixture will probably be even more marked at the wider electrode spacings.

A particularly significant feature of the C4VF6` component'which is apparently involvedvin the present invention is the chemically active natureof that gas. The structure of C4F6 is EgC- CEC--CF3, showing it to be a highly unsaturated compound aording reactivity totemperatures which can be achieved by pressure variation of a mixture of /s C4176 and 2/3 C3F8:

It should be realized that at the condensation temperature not much of the gas mixture will actually be precipitated because the concomitant decrease in pressure tends to reverse the process and thereby establishes a steady state. Illustrative of the advantages in using the present dielectric medium is that at -60 C. the C4F6 still exerts a vapor pressure of about 100 millimeters of mercury, which is relatively high compared with heavier molecular weight iluorocarbon of possibly comparable dielectric strength.

The present gas dielectric medium may, if desired, be further mixed with nitrogen gas, particularly under nonuniform iield conditions, wherein Such further mixture will provide an even higher dielectric strength especially at elevated pressure or large gap spacing, in accordance with the principles expressed in our co-pending application Serial No. 402,446, filed January 6, 1954, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. In adding the nitrogen, the latter can be substituted for a portion of either C4136 or C3F8 in the mixtures above-described, thereby adjusting the total pressure to a predetermined xed value, but it is preferable to substitute it for the C3118 in order to retain the maximum dielectric benefits of C4136, or, the nitrogen can be added to increase the total pressure Without seriously changing the dew point of the mixture.

It is also to be understood that other gases may, if desired, be used in conjunction with the described gas mixture to obtain certain desired results. For example, SP6 may be incorporated in the mixture in order to provide additional positive pressure and/or low boiling point mixtures.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous modications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the Scope of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An electrical apparatus comprising, in combination, a closed container, an electric device within said container and including spaced conducting parts which during operation are at unequal potential, and a gaseous electrical insulating medium in said container between said parts comprising principally a mixture of hexaiiuoroburtyne-2 and a lluorocarbon gas having a lower condensing temperature in sufficient relative proportions to provide for substantial reaction of the hexailuorobutyne-Z with free radicals produced from decomposition of the uorocarbon gas.

2. An electrical apparatus comprising, in combination, a closed container, an electric device Within said container and including spaced conducting parts which during operation are at unequal potential, and a gaseous electrical insulating medium in said container between said parts comprising principally a mixture of hexatluorobutyne-2l and octafluoropropane in sufficient relative proporcomprising principally a mixture of about 5-75% tions to provide for substantial reaction of the hexauorobutyne-2 with free radicals produced from decompression of the octafluoropropane.

3. An electric transformer comprising, in combination, a closed container, inductively-related electrical windings therein, and gaseous electrical insulating media for said windings comprising principally a mixture of hexalluorobutyne-Z and octauoropropane in sucent relative proportions to provide for substantial reaction of the hexauorobutyne-Z with free radicals produced from decomposition of the octalluoropropane.

4. An electric capacitor comprising the combination of cooperating metallic armatures and interposed gaseous dielectric material, said gaseous dielectric material comprising principally a mixture of hexaiiuorobutyne-Z and cctafluoropropane in suticient relative proportions to provide for substantial reaction of the hexauorobutyne-Z with free radicals produced from decomposition of the octatluoropropane.

5. An electrical apparatus comprising, in combination, a closed container, an electric device within said container and including spaced `conducting parts which during operation are at unequal potential and a gaseous electrical insulating medium in said container between said parts by volume of hexafluorobutyne-Z and about -25% of octaluoropropane.

6. An electrical apparatus comprising in combination, a closed container, an electric 'device within said container and including spaced conducting parts which during operation are at unequal potential and a gaseous electrical insulating medium in said container between said parts comprising principally a mixture of hexailuorobutyne-Z and octauoropropane in sutlicient relative proportions to provide for substantial reaction of the hexailurobutyne-Z with free radicals produced from decomposition of the octalluoropropane, and nitrogen.

7. An electrical transformer comprising, in combination, a closed container, inductively-related electrical windings therein, and gaseous insulating media for said windings comprising a gaseous mixture of equal parts by volume of hexauorobutyneeZ and octauoropropane.

8. An electrical insulating material comprising a gaseous mixture of about 5-75% by volume of hexauorobutyne-Z and about 95-25% of octauoropropane.

9. An electrical insulating material comprising a gaseous mixture of equal parts by volume of hexafluorobutyne-Z and octauoropropane.

l0. An electrical apparatus comprising, in combination, a closed container, an electric device within said container and including spaced conducting parts which during operation are at unequal potential, and a gaseous electrical insulating medium composed at least predominantly of hexailuorobutyne-Z in said container between said parts.

ll. An electrical apparatus comprising, in combination, a closed container, an electric device within said container and including spaced conducting parts which during operation are at unequal potential, and a gaseous electrical insulating medium consisting essentially of hexauorobutyne-Z in said container between said parts.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Henne: Peruoro-Z-Butyne Products, published in Journal of the American Chemical Society, volume 71, January 1949, pages 298-300.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,957,938 October 25, 1960 Guglielmo Camilli et al.

It is hereby certified that error' appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and 'that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 2, for "decompressionn read decomposition fm.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June l96l SEA L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT oir-FICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2,957,938 October 25, 1960 Guglielmo. Camilli et al.

i It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and 'that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 2, for "decompression" read decomposition me.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of June l96l.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. AN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CLOSED CONTAINER, AN ELECTRIC DEVICE WITHIN SAID CONTAINER AND INCLUDING SPACED CONDUCTING PARTS WHICH DURING OPERATION ARE AT UNEQUAL POTENTIAL, AND A GASEOUS ELECTRICAL INSULATING MEDIUM IN SAID CONTAINER BETWEEN SAID PARTS COMPRISING PRINCIPALLY A MIXTURE OF HEXAFLUOROBUTYNE-2 AND A FLUORCARBON GAS HAVING A LOWER CONDENSING TEMPERATURES IN SUFFICIENT RELATIVE PROPORTIONS TO PROVIDE 